An Ziyang was not unfamiliar with blood, nor was he a stranger to killing. Logically, a bit of blood shouldn't have startled him.
However, a person's spirit is like a steel wire. No matter how tough it is, it can't withstand constant bending and twisting.
An Ziyang was indeed thrown into a state of emotional turmoil by what he had witnessed in just the short span of an incense stick's burning time. Just as he had finally relaxed a little upon seeing the adorable little girl, Xiao Si, he suddenly saw the blood on her snow-white hand. How could he not be startled?
Xiao Si, however, noticed An Ziyang's unusual reaction. She looked up at him, then down at her own hand.
"Oh, I didn't wipe it clean..."
Suddenly, her sleeve moved.
It was as if a slender living creature was wriggling beneath her clothing.
An Ziyang watched with wide eyes as a centipede, as thick as a finger, crawled out from Xiao Si's sleeve, wrapped around her wrist, climbed onto her hand, and, with its mouthparts open, lunged at the patch of blood.
"!!!"
An Ziyang's hand in his sleeve clenched tightly.
He finally understood why Li Miao wanted him to bring two Grand Witches and the Miao King's journal to this seemingly harmless little girl.
This little girl was actually a Grand Witch!
Xiao Si, however, didn't care.
Not only was she a Grand Witch, but she was also a Human Gu. Just keeping a few insects on her body was considered cultivating her character. The blood wasn't hers, and the Gu worms wouldn't die from eating it. She was too lazy to find something to wipe it with, so she simply let the Gu worms clean it up, saving her the trouble of finding blood food to feed them.
In just a moment, Xiao Si finished reading the journal and looked up at An Ziyang.
"Does my Baihu have anything else to bring?"
An Ziyang quickly replied.
"There are also two Grand Witches transported from Miao Xinjiang, overseen by two Elders of the Beggar Clan, waiting outside the courtyard."
"Oh, good."
Xiao Si acknowledged, then pondered for a moment.
"How about this."
"I've accepted the people and the items, but we've been separated from the Baihu for several months now and don't know his recent situation. We'll have to trouble you to tell us about it."
"Deng Palm Master, go call everyone over. I'll go find Hai Gege."
"Little brother, what's your name?"
"An Ziyang."
"Oh, Brother An, please wait here for a moment. We'll go find everyone."
"Alright, alright."
An Ziyang nodded and sat down.
Xiao Si and Deng Boxuan turned and left.
A moment later, everyone gradually arrived.
Mei Qinghe, You Zi'ang.
Deng Boxuan, Zhou Yingxue, Zhang Jingfeng, Liu Baiyun, Gao Ling.
There were also several Baihu under Li Miao, all of them top-notch experts.
Finally, Xiao Si walked in, holding Wang Hai's hand.
Wang Hai walked to the main seat and sat down, looking at An Ziyang.
"My name is Wang Hai. Since the Baihu isn't here, I'll be in charge. You're older than me, so I'll call you Brother An."
An Ziyang quickly stood up and cupped his hands.
"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. Lord Wang, you've served under Lord Li for many years. The more accomplished come first; I wouldn't dare presume to be your elder."
Wang Hai waved his hand.
"Since we all serve under the Baihu, we are brothers. There's no need for formality. The Baihu himself doesn't like to set rules at home, so just be at ease."
"The Baihu went to Miao Xinjiang alone. We only received some vague news from the Commander. We'll have to trouble you to tell us about it in detail."
An Ziyang didn't rush to speak. His eyes darted, and he cast a glance at Wang Hai.
Wang Hai immediately understood and nodded.
"Everyone here is family; there's no need to worry. Just speak."
An Ziyang then recounted in detail everything Li Miao had done during this period, including the matters concerning the Miao King and Ji Tianrui.
By the time he finished speaking in one breath, picking up a bowl of tea to moisten his throat, the room was still silent.
After a long moment, Deng Boxuan finally let out a long sigh.
"Truly, before this, we were indeed frogs in a well."
"Fortunately, we met Lord Li. Otherwise, we might have spent our entire lives muddling through the martial arts world, only to die in confusion one day."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Wang Hai raised a hand, interrupting their exclamations.
"Everyone, these words can be saved for later."
"Since the Ming Cult bandits are on their way to Shuntian Prefecture, and Lord Baihu is also rushing back, as his subordinates, we cannot simply wait for things to happen."
"I'll state three things first. Everyone, please remember them well."
Everyone quieted down, looking at Wang Hai.
"First, we are all subordinates of the Baihu, and I won't hide anything anymore."
"'Heavenly Beings' should be hidden by the imperial court. You all know this because we eat official rations, but you must absolutely not leak this information."
Everyone nodded.
"Second, since the Ming Cult has 'Heavenly Beings,' and quite a few of them, we must never act alone afterward, nor should we act rashly, or we might needlessly lose our lives."
"Third, regarding Lord's martial arts, you must absolutely not mention it to outsiders."
Wang Hai scanned the people in the room, his gaze cold.
"There's a subtle thread running through the things I just mentioned, leading to the Heavenly Beings and to the imperial court. None of you are fools; you should all know this in your hearts."
"I'll say this upfront: I, Wang Hai, will only recognize the Baihu in this life. If I find out anyone has done something to betray the Baihu... you all know the methods of Xiao Si and me."
Everyone's expressions changed, and they nodded repeatedly.
Wang Hai's expression then softened, and he slowly said.
"Before the Baihu returns, we need to set things up so he doesn't have to come back and search for people to kill everywhere."
"Brother Wang, Brother Li, Brother Zhang, Brother Qian. You go find the 'hooks' we've planted in the capital, collect information, and see if a large number of unfamiliar people have appeared inside or outside the city recently. Especially those with Miao Xinjiang accents, or large groups of young, strong men, or those who have recently purchased a large amount of blood food—all must be investigated thoroughly."
Several trusted Baihu under Li Miao responded in unison, accepting their orders and leaving.
"Four Palm Masters, you take your disciples and go investigate various places in the city where martial artists gather. See if any martial artists from other regions have recently entered the city, or if there's any unusual news. For example, secret manuals or grand events—pay attention to all of these."
Deng Boxuan, Liu Baiyun, Zhang Jingfeng, and Zhou Yingxue accepted their orders and left.
"You Zi'ang, your lightness skill is the best; even top experts can't catch you. Therefore, your mission is the most important."
"Brother An, you are also a true disciple of the Shen Thief Sect, and you have many methods. You and You Zi'ang will go together to specifically investigate the civilian houses and ancestral halls outside the city. The Ming Cult has many people, and most of them won't enter the city in advance to avoid exposure. The most likely places for them to hide are these. Be extra careful, and if you find anything unusual, report back directly."
You Zi'ang and An Ziyang accepted their orders and left.
"Maiden Mei, Elder Gao."
"I'll be direct with you two. I don't entirely trust the people who just left. Only you two—one who knows how to repay kindness and has received great favor from my Baihu; and one who has no ties and can only seek refuge under my Baihu's wing."
"Therefore, you two, along with Xiao Si and me, will undertake the most dangerous task."
Wang Hai stood up.
"We're going to find Ji Tianrui."